Analyzing the influence of the fourth industrial revolution (IR4.0) on seaport competitiveness through a sequential mediators’ procedure

The transformation of the conventional approach towards digitalization via the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0) requires a significant understanding of the factors influencing the implementation of IR4.0, and their impact on seaport competitiveness, which currently remains vague and unclear. By utilizing a Technology, Organizational, and Environmental (TOE) framework, and introducing the implementation of IR4.0 and IR4.0 performance as sequential mediators, the findings will improve the role of IR4.0 in seaports’ competitive performance and reduce the current empirical gap. The paper analyzes the factors influencing the sustainable implementation of IR4.0 in the seaport sector, as well as the impact of this current agenda on seaport competitiveness. To meet the proposed objectives, using a purposive sampling method, data was gathered from 126 participants via an online survey. Using structural equation modelling with SmartPLS, most of the direct hypotheses were supported, and all the mediation hypotheses were supported. The new framework for seaports’ competitive performance is not only beneficial for academicians in encouraging more studies on this issue, but also sheds light on the IR4.0 role in seaports’ competitive performance.